The Great Dane is a giant dog that combines nobility with robustness and power
with elegance. It has a long narrow head with an accentuated frontal stop
and a rather large nasal canal. Its neck is long and muscular and its front
legs are perfectly straight. It has muscular thighs and round feet with short,
dark nails. The Great Dane's tail is medium-length, reaching to the point
of the hock. Its eyes are round and usually dark - with a lively intelligent
expression. Its ears are either cropped rather long, pointed, and carried
erect, or left natural. Its well developed white teeth must close in a scissors
bite. All Danes have short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair. The color of
the coat indicates the variety. fawn, brindle, black, blue, mantle harlequin
and sometimes Merle. However Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding,
but it is not a recognized color. Black coats and dark eyes, while blue
Danes may have lighter eyes.

The Great
Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful
and patient with children. It loves everyone and needs to be around people.
The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances
require it. A steady dog, responsible and dependable. Brave and loyal, it
is a good watchdog. Because of his giant size, the Great Dane should be thoroughly
obedience trained when young so it will be manageable when fully grown. Teach
this giant dog not to lean against people, especially children. Some individuals
are dog-aggressive, especially with same sex dogs. It is good with other dogs
if it is raised with them from puppyhood. This breed may be slightly difficult
to train.

Incised
on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. is the image of a dog very similar
to the Great Dane of today. The Great Dane is known as the "Apollo of
all dogs." In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain
were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who brought with them powerful
mastiff-like dogs. In Germany especially, where these magnificent animals
capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much admired, a process of
selective breeding was begun. The dogs were crossed with Irish Greyhounds,
and the issue was the beautiful, large, thin, agile dog known today as the
Great Dane. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English, these
dogs have nothing to do with Denmark. Some of the Great Dane's talents are
tracking, watchdog and carting.